A Shot of Encouragement

"So, why did You bring us back to this small town on the Mekong--out of the main stream and far from parts and needed supplies?"  This is a question I have asked God many times as we have faced difficulties and problems these past two years...

Well, the main reason, we felt, was so that we could be here for needy people from across the river--believers and villagers, farmers and friends.  This week that reason was once again borne out as one of our friends showed up with two of his family members in need of medical attention.  We were able to help them get settled into a provincial hospital where tests were done and medicines prescribed.  This morning I took them to the border where they returned home.

Last night we talked and prayed.  And then again this morning.  We laughed and talked and prayed some more.  We talked about our friend's 6 months in prison.  We laughed at his mother-in-law's persistence and stubborn-ness--at how she bothered the prison officials and begged for our friend's release, at how she, a simple villager who hardly speaks Lao went all the way to the vice-governor to get the shackles removed from her son-in-law's ankles..

What a shot in the arm!  I saw pictures of Christmas celebrations in seven villages.  I heard reports of former persecutors coming to those celebrations, of changes of heart.  I gently asked if this or that group of believers was still meeting--afraid that I might be disappointed.  But in every case they were still meeting!  They have grown.  Yes, some have fallen away and there has been discouragement.  But as I read in Psalm 135 this morning, I was able to assure them that "the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants."  Just like that persistent widow in Luke 18 who finally gets justice from a corrupt judge, we can rest assured that God hears and understands our every need--including our need for a shot of encouragement every now and then!